The “Petka” solar power plant in Kostolac, with a capacity of 10 megawatts, has officially entered trial operation. It is located on the site of a former mining disposal area, and according to Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy, this marks a turning point and the beginning of the energy transition for “Elektroprivreda Srbije” (EPS).
The minister noted that, in addition to the “Petka” solar power plant, wind turbines from EPS’s first wind farm are also being built in this mining region—mostly on reclaimed tailings sites.
She stated that the wind farm is expected to be connected to the grid in August, marking the start of its testing phase when the blades will begin turning. This will strengthen the power system with an additional 76 megawatts of green energy.
Serbia has set a strategic goal—outlined in its Energy Development Strategy—to increase the share of renewable energy sources to 45 percent by 2030.
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However, the minister emphasized that much more remains to be done and that maximum efforts must be made, as Serbia is facing strategic projects that will significantly reshape its energy landscape.
“These include, above all, the construction of the ‘Bistrica’ pumped-storage hydropower plant and a project for solar power plants with a total capacity of 1 GW, accompanied by battery storage. The necessary investments in the energy sector over the next ten years are estimated at around 14 billion euros,” said Đedović Handanović.
Dušan Živković, General Director of EPS, highlighted that with this first 10 MW solar plant, the upcoming wind farm connection, and the 350 MW B3 unit that has been operational since the end of last year, the region will gain a total of 426 megawatts of additional energy capacity.
He stressed that every new megawatt is vital for EPS and for the national power system—especially during tropical days when electricity demand continues to rise.
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